⭐ Complete Dud
Our President is a short, thick little lump of a man, with no talents, and, as I have been told, no extraordinary learning. He is quite an inoffensive little animal, and causes me no trouble except to put my hand to my hat when I meet him.
Nathaniel Hawthorne to his sister, October 28, 1821.
⭐⭐ Uninspiring
He was industrious and conscientious; but his manner was precise and formal, instead of being dignified; and he inspired the average student with little respect or esteem.
Horatio Bridge, Personal Recollections of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1893)
⭐⭐ By no means brilliant
Pres. Allen is a pretty good, but by no means a brilliant scholar. The students say he is fond of that which the apostle says is the root of all evil.
Gorham Deane to his brother, Nov. 10, 1821